Universal registry system and method of use and creation thereof

ABSTRACT

A method of creating a universal registry ( 10 ) of goods and/or services desired and system therefore is provided. The method includes creating a first registry ( 12 ) of goods and/or services desired; creating a second registry ( 14 ) of potential buyers (B) of the goods and/or services, and creating a third registry ( 16 ) of potential sellers (S) of the goods and/or services. Further, providing a central database ( 18 ) in communication with the first, second and third registries ( 12, 14, 16 ) and configuring the central database ( 18 ) to notify the potential buyers (B) in the second registry ( 14 ) when they are in the vicinity of at least one of the potential sellers (S) in the third registry ( 16 ) by sending a wireless electronic signal to a signal receiving device ( 20 ).

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates generally to methods and systems for registering and filling requests for goods and services desired.

2. Related Art

It is known for individuals to enter goods and services desired into a registry at a specific location, and to have others access the registry to fill the request. This type of system is useful, however, it requires the buyer filling the request to have advance knowledge of the whereabouts of the registry and to physically go to the registry to see the list of items desired. Typically, the registry is located at the location of the item supplier. Accordingly, the buyer filling the request must also have advance knowledge of how to get to the item supplier. As such, although this type of system is useful, it requires advance knowledge on behalf of the buyer to know the physical location of the registry and supplier. In addition, although the buyer may have the knowledge necessary to get to the supplier, the buyer may not know if the supplier has the item in stock, and further, may not be aware of any promotional offers. Further, the buyer may not know if other buyers have already made a similar purchase at another supplier. Further yet, the buyer, although knowing one location of a supplier, may not know of other potential suppliers that may be more convenient to the location of the buyer.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with one aspect of the invention, a method of creating a universal registry of goods and/or services desired and providing access to the registry to a select group of persons to provide the desired goods and/or services is provided. The method includes creating a first registry of goods and/or services desired; creating a second registry of potential buyers of the goods and/or services, and creating a third registry of potential sellers of the goods and/or services. Further, the method is characterized by providing a central database in communication with the first, second and third registries. Further yet, the method includes configuring the central database to notify the potential buyers included in the second registry when they are in the vicinity of at least one of the potential sellers included in the third registry by sending a wireless electronic signal to a device configured to receive the wireless, electronic signal.

In accordance with the invention, a universal registry of goods and/or services system is provided. The system includes a first registry of goods and/or services; a second registry of potential buyers of the goods and/or services having a device configured to receive a wireless, electronic signal, and a third registry of potential sellers of the goods and/or services. The system further includes a central database. The system is characterized by the central database being in wireless, electronic communication with the first, second and third registries to automatically notify the potential buyers when they are in a predetermined range of at least one of the potential sellers by sending a wireless, electronic signal to a respective one of the devices.

The method and system provide an easy, convenient, economical way in which a person desiring a ‘list’ of things can create the list and covey the list in real-time to a predetermined list of potential purchasers of the things on the list. Further, with the potential purchasers of the things being automatically notified when they are the proximity of a seller of the things, finding the things for purchase is simplified, and the purchaser is kept from having to search for the things, thereby saving the purchaser time and money, such as with the cost associated with traveling from place to place. Further yet, upon the things being purchased, the list is automatically updated, in real-time, thereby notifying the potential purchases of those things that remain on the list. As such, the potential for more than the desired number of things being purchased is minimized. Accordingly, the cost and frustration of having to return things is minimized.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other aspects, features and advantages of the invention will become more readily appreciated when considered in connection with the following detailed description of presently preferred embodiments and best mode, appended claims and accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a general flow diagram of a method and system for creating a universal registry of items in accordance with one presently preferred embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a detailed flow chart of the method and system of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating a potential buyer being notified that they are in proximity to a seller of an item in the universal registry of goods or services.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PRESENTLY PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring in more detail to the drawings, FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate flow diagrams for a method and system of creating a universal registry of items desired, also referred to as goods and/or services, illustrated generally at 10, in accordance with one aspect of the invention. Access to the universal registry 10 is restricted to a predetermined, select group of persons so that the persons desiring to provide the desired items have real-time, up to date information on the status of the items remaining in the registry. The method, and system for implementing the method, includes creating a first registry of items desired 12; creating a second registry of potential buyers of the items 14, and creating a third registry of potential sellers of the items 16. Further, providing a central processor, also referred to as central database 18, in communication with the first, second and third registries 12, 14, 16 and configuring the central database 18 to notify the potential buyers in the second registry 14 when they are in the vicinity of at least one of the potential sellers in the third registry 16 via a wireless electronic signal. The first, second and third registries 12, 14, 16 can be created, such as by a registrant, for example, and then accessed by users, such as a list of predetermined buyers, via a personal navigation system (PNAV) 20 or an internet based program connected to the database. The universal registry can be accessed via any number of PNAV 20 devices, depending on the number of registrants (R) and potential buyers (B) identified during set-up of the specific registry. In accordance with the invention, the PNAV system can be one many different types of systems, such as those manufactured by TomTom NV (www.tomtom.com). The types of devices configured to receive the signals include any devices that can identify a location on earth, such as GPS-enabled PNAV systems, including but not limited to, personal navigation devices (PND), handheld devices, personal digital assistants (PDAs), mobile telephones with navigation software (smart phones), and in-car navigation systems built in a vehicle.

As shown in FIG. 2, the items registry (first registry) 12 includes an up to date listing of all the items desired by the registrant R. The items registry 12 preferably includes specific product and/or service particulars, such as, by way of example and without limitation, item number, quantities, color desired, pattern desired, dimensional information and the like. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the first registry 12 is preferably in direct wireless, electronic communication with the central database 18, and can also be in direct wireless, electronic communication with the sellers registry 16, although the communications preferably take place via the central database 18.

The buyers registry (second registry) 14 is a complete listing of all the potential buyers B anticipated by the registrant R to make purchases. The buyers registry 14 includes sufficiently detailed information to enable the central database 18 to recognize the presence of a buyer's PNAV system 20 when the buyer B is within a predetermined range, proximity or distance (d) relative to at least one of the sellers (S) contained in the sellers registry 16, such as shown schematically in FIG. 3. The buyers registry 14 can be populated via the registrant R and/or by the individual potential buyers B, such as via their respective PNAV system 20, for example. For example, the registrant R can enter sufficient identification data into the buyers registry 14, such as via the central database 18, whereupon the central database 18 automatically recognizes the buyer's PNAV system 20 when it is within the approximate distance d from a seller S of at least some of the goods and/or services listed in the items registry 12. Otherwise, the potential buyer B can be notified by the registrant R using any desired form of communication to enter the identification data, i.e. access code, into the buyer registry 14 to bring the central database 18 into communication with the buyer's PNAV system 20 when within a predetermined distance d of at least one of the potential sellers S in the third registry. Regardless of which mechanism is used, for purposes herein, the data information entered into the buyer registry 14 needs to include data sufficient for the central database to recognized the presence of the buyer's PNAV system 20, such as phone number, specific identity code, or the like. Accordingly, each PNAV system 20 that is to be recognized must have an identifiable mechanism or key particular to the individual buyer B. In addition, although the above is explained with reference to the registrant R and the buyer B being different persons, it should be recognized that the registrant R and the buyer B could be one in the same. Accordingly, the buyers registry (second registry) 14 can act as a reminder list to the registrant R, so to speak, of things that the registrant R intends to purchase. As such, by way of example and without limitation, the registrant R can set up as many buyer registries 14 as needed, including one for himself, and possibly others acting as ‘gift lists’ for items the registrant R intends to purchase for others.

The sellers registry (third registry) 16 is a complete listing of all the potential sellers S of the goods and/or services desired by the registrant R. The sellers registry 16 includes sufficiently detailed particulars to enable the buyers B to know what items are currently in stock along with information to enable the buyer to locate the seller S. For example, the detailed particulars can include, without limitation, specifics of items for sale, e.g. new/used, condition, dimensions, color, price, brand, item number, quantity available, year of manufacture, number on back order and when anticipated to be in stock, and the like. In addition, the sellers registry 16 can include any promotions associated with the products, such as available coupons (along with where to find the coupons), in-store discounts, etc. Further, upon an item being purchased from the sellers registry 16, and automatic update is sent from the sellers registry 16 to the items registry 12 so that the items remaining in the items registry 12 are current in quantity remaining to be purchased. It should be recognized that the sellers registry 16 can be both for large corporate entity type sellers down to an individual. As such, a person having an estate or garage sale could be set up in the sellers registry 16.

By way of example and without limitation, the universal registry 10 can be used as a bridal registry, wherein the registrant R, such as the bride or wedding planner, can enter the desired item information for each item to be registered in the items registry 12. Upon the desired item information being entered, the central processor 18, being in receipt of specific item information from participating sellers S, such as shown in FIG. 2, links the items desired with the inventory and location of the sellers S. Upon a match being made, the central processor 18 is able to notify buyers B when they are within the distance d of the sellers S of the desired items. This occurs as a result of the central processor 18 being able to track the device 20 of the buyer B, at the election and as desired by the buyer B. Accordingly, the buyers are being notified by choice, and thus, are not being solicited.

Upon being within the range d of the seller S, the item particulars are indicated via the device 20 to the buyer B. It should be recognized that the signal sent to the buyer B can be conditioned on whether or not the seller S is open. For example, even if the buyer B is within the range d of the seller S, if the seller S is not open, the system could be configured to not send a signal to the buyer B, thereby preventing the buyer B from driving to the seller S only to find the seller S is not open. In addition, the signal could send the hours during which the seller S is open. In addition, if the seller S is an individual, the signal could indicated the best hours to reach the seller S at home, or elsewhere, and further, it could indicated affirmatively if the seller S is home, or at the place of the intended purchase transaction, or away. The buyer B can then elect to affirmatively reply via their device 20 that they are interested in leaning more about the item(s). If the buyer B is interested and replies as such, further item promotion information, i.e. available discounts and how to obtain them, is automatically forwarded to the buyer B. Thereafter, if the buyer B desires, they can go to the seller S to make the purchase, assuming the seller S is available to make the transaction. Of course, to facilitate getting to the seller S, the device 20 can display a visual map and/or text and/or voice instructions on how to best get to the seller S. Upon the sale transaction being completed, the inventory quantities at the seller S are automatically updated and the purchase is communicated to the items registry 12. Accordingly, the item is removed from the items registry 12, whereupon it will be recognized by other registered buyers B within the buyers registry 14 that the item no longer remains in the buyers registry 14. As such, the risk of having the same gift purchased by multiple buyers B is reduced. If the bridal registry is only desired for a certain period of time, such as till the wedding date, for example, the item and buyers registries 12, 14 can be set to expire on the wedding date. Accordingly, upon expiration, the central database 18 will cease to send a signal to the buyers B in the wedding buyers registry 14.

In another embodiment in accordance with the invention, the universal registry 10 can be set up and used to indicate services needed. For example, an individual can be on a mission in Latin America, such as to perform eye exams and to provide eye glasses. While performing the eye exams, the individual comes across a patient (analogous to the potential buyers B) that requires surgical treatment, such as cataract surgery (analogous to the items). As such, the potential buyer B, via a PNAV system 20 through the potential buyers registry 14 can enter the request for the surgical treatment item, which is then channeled through the central database 18 and routed to the potential sellers registry 16. The potential sellers registry 16 contains a complete and up to date listing of all the medical facilities (analogous to the potential sellers S) within a predetermined distance d of the potential buyer B that are capable of performing the needed surgical service. Accordingly, upon receipt of the request for services from the potential buyer B, the potential sellers registry 16 can automatically return a signal indicating the precise location of all the potential sellers S within the predetermined distance d. Otherwise, the sellers registry 16 can forward the request to the potential sellers S, whereupon the potential sellers S can contact the potential buyer B via any preferred mechanism of communication. Of course, the preceding is just an example of one service embodiment, and thus, it should be recognized that other services, such as real estate services, for example, can also benefit from utilization of the universal registry 10.

Obviously, many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. It is, therefore, to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described. 

1. A method of creating a universal registry of items desired, comprising: creating a first registry of items desired; creating a second registry of potential buyers of the items; creating a third registry of potential sellers of the items; and providing a central database in communication with the first, second and third registries and configuring the central database to notify the potential buyers in the second registry when they are in the vicinity of at least one of the potential sellers in the third registry by sending a wireless electronic signal to a signal receiving device.
 2. The method of claim 1 further including providing the signal with detailed information on the items.
 3. The method of claim 2 further including providing the signal with information detailing discounts available for the items.
 4. The method of claim 2 further including providing the detailed information with at least one of price, brand, model number, new/used, condition.
 5. The method of claim 1 further including providing detailed information on the seller availability to make a transaction.
 6. The method of claim 5 wherein the detailed information includes the hours the seller is available to make a transaction.
 7. The method of claim 1 further including configuring the central database to not send the signal to the buyer if the seller is unavailable to make a transaction.
 8. The method of claim 1 further including identifying the location of the sellers via the signal.
 9. The method of claim 8 further including generating a map on the device via the signal.
 10. The method of claim 1 further including sending a signal from the sellers to the first registry to identify items purchased by the potential buyers and removing the purchased items from the first registry.
 11. The method of claim 1 further including providing the central database with an access code and providing the potential buyers with the access code to bring the central database into communication with the potential buyers when they are within a predetermined distance of at least one of the potential sellers in the third registry.
 12. The method of claim 1 further including establishing the communication between the central database with the first, second and third registries for a predetermined, finite period of time.
 13. A universal registry of items system, comprising: a first registry of items; a second registry of potential buyers of the items, the potential buyers each having a wireless, signal receiving device; a third registry of potential sellers of the items; and a central database in wireless, electronic communication with the first, second and third registries, said central database being configured to automatically notify the potential buyers when they are in a predetermined range of at least one of the potential sellers by sending a wireless, electronic signal to a respective one of said device.
 14. The system of claim 13 wherein said device is a mobile device.
 15. The system of claim 14 wherein said first registry is programmed on a mobile global positioning system-enabled device.
 16. The system of claim 13 wherein said third registry details discounts available for the items.
 17. The system of claim 13 wherein said device automatically displays a map to guide the potential buyer to the seller upon receipt of the wireless, electronic signal.
 18. The system of claim 13 wherein said third registry is configured to send a signal to remove the items purchased from the first registry.
 19. The system of claim 13 wherein said central database has an access code to link the first, second and third registries. 